Marshall Middle School Team 1 captured first place at the Western Pennsylvania Science Bowl (WPASB) middle school competition, which was held Saturday, March 2, at the Community College of Allegheny County-South Campus in West Mifflin.

Twenty-seven teams competed in the tournament sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and NETL. Coming in at second, third and fourth place were Pine Richland Middle School Team 1, Marshall Middle School Team 2, Fort Couch Middle School Team 2, respectively.

As the first-place winner, Marshall Middle School Team 1 advances to compete at the 2024 National Science Bowl, which will be held April 25-29 in Washington, D.C.

“Congratulations to Marshall Middle School,” said NETL Director Marianne Walck. “Your hard work and dedication prepared you to succeed in a field that featured many talented teams. Good luck at the National Science Bowl competition.”

During the pandemic, the WPASB was held in an all-virtual format to protect the health of students, their coaches and the volunteers who support the event.

“Thank you to everyone who enabled us to transition back to the in-person format,” said Adam Lott, lead coordinator for NETL’s regional Science Bowl competitions. “I am especially grateful to our volunteers, including NETL researchers and other staff, who served as judges, moderators, scorekeepers and in other important roles.”

NETL has sponsored the WPASB for more than three decades as a forum that requires students to answer questions on topics related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The fast-paced, quiz-style event helps students expand their science and math knowledge while participating in an exciting competition in which they learn about the importance of teamwork and other skills.

“This competition also inspires students to excel in their STEM-related studies and to explore careers as the next generation of scientists and engineers who will make the discoveries to address emerging challenges in energy, the environment and other fields,” Walck said.

Competing in Saturday’s competition were Albert Gallatin South Middle School, Baldwin Middle School, Carlynton Junior-Senior High School, Carson Middle School, Fort Couch Middle School, Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School, Independence Middle School, Ingomar Middle School, Lincoln Junior-Senior High School, Mars Area Middle School, Marshall Middle School, Pine-Richland Middle School, Trinity Middle School and Winchester Thurston School.

Four schools sent three teams while five schools sent a pair of teams. Five schools were represented by a single team.

The Lab coordinates the WPASB as part of its STEM Education and Outreach program. On Feb. 24, NETL held the WPASB high school competition, with North Allegheny Senior High School Team 1 taking first place.

NETL is a DOE national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers technological solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By using its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant, and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.